Small Claims Court Paperwork
Claims up to $12,500 — plaintiff claims, defendant responses, and collection forms prepared correctly.
California Legal Document Excellence, LLC is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or legal representation.
What It Is
Document preparation for California small claims court, where individuals can sue for up to $12,500 without an attorney — in fact, attorneys can't represent you at the hearing.
Documents We Prepare
Plaintiff's Claim (SC-100), Defendant's Claim (SC-120), Proof of Service (SC-104), Request to Postpone (SC-150), and judgment collection forms.
Who This Is For
For anyone owed money, responding to a claim, or collecting a small claims judgment.
Documents to Gather for Your Small Claims Case
Please have the following available when we follow up:
- Full legal name and address of the person or business involved
- The exact amount in dispute and how you calculated it
- Contracts, invoices, receipts, or estimates related to the claim
- Photos, messages, or emails that document what happened
- Key dates (when the debt arose, when you demanded payment)
- Your hearing date and case number, if you were served or already filed
You do not need all of these to get started — bring what you have and we'll guide you through the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I sue for in California small claims court?
Individuals can generally sue for up to $12,500; businesses are limited to $6,250. Small claims is designed for people to represent themselves — the paperwork just has to be right, and that's what we prepare.
What if I was served with a small claims lawsuit?
Deadlines move quickly once you're served. We can prepare your response paperwork, a counterclaim if you direct one, or a request to postpone the hearing. Start the intake right away and note your hearing date.
I won my case — how do I actually collect?
The court doesn't collect for you. We prepare post-judgment collection documents at your direction, including wage garnishment and bank levy paperwork, to help you turn the judgment into payment.
How quickly can my claim be ready to file?
Usually within a few business days of receiving your information — faster if you have a hearing or deadline. The online intake takes about 5 minutes and we respond within one business day.
Ready to Get Your Documents Prepared?
Start with a free consultation — tell us what you need and we'll take care of the rest. Pricing provided after intake — your consultation is free.
Start Your Intake